Inverted nipple surgery at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals Murrayfield and Shawfair Park

Inverted nipples usually develop during puberty and are the result of short milk ducts. If you have had an inverted nipple since puberty, there is unlikely to be an underlying medical problem.

However if it has happened more recently, you should see your GP straight away to check whether the condition needs further treatment.

Many patients have reported feeling more self-confident about themselves and their bodies giving them the confidence boost they needed to live their lives to the fullest after having this procedure.

If you decide to have your procedure with us, you will be looked after by an experienced multi-disciplinary care team.

Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care. To us, that means you can choose the consultant you want to see, and when you want. They'll be with you every step of the way.

All of our consultants are of the highest calibre and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals.

Our consultants have high standards to meet, often holding specialist NHS posts and delivering expertise in complex sub-specialty surgeries. Many of our consultants have international reputations for their research in their specialised field.

You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.

We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.

We've tried to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.

For more information on visiting hours, our food, what to pack if you're staying with us, parking and all those other important practicalities, please visit our patient information pages.

Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.

We understand that undergoing surgery can potentially be a time of anxiety and worry – even for the most common and straightforward procedure. Our experienced and caring medical staff will be there for you, holding your hand, every step of the way.

Surgery for inverted nipple correction is relatively simple. Your surgeon will cut around your nipple so that it's free from the surrounding tissue, and re-stitch it so that it protrudes.

The surgery can be performed under general anaesthetic, which means you will be asleep during the procedure, or under local anaesthetic, when the area will be numb but you will be awake.

The surgery takes between 30 minutes and two hours.

Usually you will be able to go home later the same day after inverted nipple surgery. 

After this, you will be taken to your room or comfortable area where you can rest and recuperate until we feel you’re ready to go home.

Pain relief

You might experience some initial tightness and bruising after the operation. Taking over the counter medication will help relieve any pain. If you need to continue to take pain medication, please follow the advice given by the hospital.

Recovery time

You will usually be able to go home later the same day, and can return to normal activities almost immediately but should restrain from heavy exercise for the first few weeks.

End results

Scarring is usually minimal, though breastfeeding cannot be guaranteed after the procedure because the milk ducts will usually have been cut during surgery and will no longer be intact.

How your loved ones can help

Once you’re ready to be discharged from hospital, you’ll need to arrange a taxi, friend or family member to take you home. Your surgeon will advise you on when it will be suitable for you to undertake strenuous activity again and you should only drive when you are comfortable you can perform an emergency stop.

Looking after you

Even after you’ve left hospital, we’re still looking after you every step of the way. After inverted nipple surgery, typically our consultants will want to see you after your procedure to see how you are doing. A follow up appointment will be made for you before you leave the hospital.

On rare occasions, complications following inverted nipple surgery can occur. The complications depend upon the type of operation you have and also your general health - your surgeon will explain how the complications and risks apply to you.

If you have any questions or concerns, we're here to help.

We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.

Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.